Dominican Republic attracting increase in tourism investments, cruise passengers and new developments

Multi-million-dollar investments, new developments, and new cruise port lead to great tourism expectations for 2017.

(News Release)

TORONTO – The Dominican Republic, having broken arrivals records in many categories in 2016, is setting aggressive new targets for 2017, underpinned by new developments, increased investment in infrastructure and increased cruise traffic.    Several arrival records were broken in 2016, with a nine per cent increase from 2015. Even more impressive is the 67.5 per cent increase in cruise passenger arrivals, with 580,000 cruise passengers arriving throughout the year. Punta Cana airport arrivals increased 7.1 per cent over 2015, and continues to be the most popular airport in the Caribbean, accepting over 2.4 million arrivals each year. With new hotel developments, US$100 million investments into Las Terrenas, a collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency for sustainable tourism, and the addition of Cap Cana Marina as an international cruise port, plus new and re-invigorated activities and festivals throughout the country this year, all signs are pointing to a strong and profitable tourism industry within the Dominican Republic for 2017.

Looking forward to 2017

AWARDS

Dominican Republic Named Most Innovative Country in Caribbean

The Global Innovation Index recently ranked Dominican Republic as the most innovative country in the Caribbean and 76th most innovative in the world. The index ranks countries based on factors such as infrastructure, market and business sophistication. www.globalinnovationindex.org

Conde Nast Traveler Recognizes Six Dominican Republic Resorts

The magazine highlighted six resorts in its 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards for “Top Resorts in the Caribbean.” The properties include: Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe, CHIC by Royalton Resorts, Casa de Campo, Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana and Eden Roc at Cap Cana. www.cntraveler.com

Punta Cana Recognized by MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index

According to the 2016 MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Punta Cana receives the highest overnight visitor spend of any Latin American city, with a total of US$2.95 billion annually. 

Three Hotels Nominated for World Travel Awards

Three Dominican Republic hotels have been nominated for the prestigious World Travel Awards: Puntacana Resorts, Casa de Campo and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana. www.worldtravelawards.com/

 

TOURISM

Dominican Republic Sees Increased Tourist Arrivals in October

According to the Central Bank, October marked another record-breaking month with 5,411,796 total arrivals, representing a increase of 366,112 passengers from October 2015. www.bancentral.gov.do/

Santiago Partners with Japan for Sustainable Tourism Initiative

The Council for Strategic Development of Santiago and Japan International Cooperation Agency are collaborating for a sustainable tourism initiative that will help the 14 northern provinces of Dominican Republic, including Santiago. 

Punta Cana Hotels Reach 82.8 Per Cent Occupancy in 2016

The National Association of Hotels and Tourism announced that hotels and resorts in Punta Cana have achieved an average of 82.8 per cent occupancy this year. Overall occupancy in the DR has averaged at 79.3 per cent. The association is optimistic that number will remain positive into 2017.

Tourism in Montecristi Grows by 200 Percent

The city of Montecristi, located in the northwest region of the country, has seen an increase of tourism visitors by more than 200 per cent over the last year, according to the region’s tourism manager.

Dominican Republic Supports World Tourism Day Initiative “Tourism for All”

Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina voiced support for the 2016 World Tourism Day focus on accessible travel and announced plans to increase accessibility accommodations throughout the country. www.wtd.unwto.org/

HOTELS & DEVELOPMENTS 

Samaná Beach Town Plans $100 Million Renovation

Las Terrenas, a popular destination in Samaná, will undergo extensive renovations to advance tourism in the northeast region. Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina recently approved the beach town’s relaunch, which includes renovations to the beach, tourist promenade, hospital and more.

Puntarena Hotel Complex Plans to Boost Tourism in Southwest Region

The Puntarena project, which will include two hotels and 2,400 rooms, plans to boost tourism in the Dominican Republic’s remote and naturally diverse southwest region of Baní, Peravia. The hotel complex will offer an ecological experience within the region’s mountains, dunes and salt marshes, and is set to open December 2017. 

Developments Planned for North Coast

Two new hotels will open in Sosúa in the next few months: Sosúa Ocean Village Deluxe and the five-star Ahnvee Resort & Sport. The developments are the latest in the growing tourism industry on Dominican Republic’s north coast.

New Luxury Complex Planned for Puerto Plata

Foreign investors announced a $1 billion investment for the Punta Alma project, a new luxury complex in Puerto Plata. The development will include a hotel, spa, golf course, villas, apartments and a marina

Family-Friendly Resort Makes a Splash in Punta Cana

RIU Hotels & Resorts opened Splash Water World in Punta Cana, a water park designed for travellers of all ages. The US$3.5 million complex is accessible at no charge to guests staying at any of the five RIU hotels in Punta Cana, and is the brand’s first water park. www.riu.com

CRUISE

Puerto Plata Expects More Cruises in 2017

Carnival Cruise Line continues to increase the amount of ships arriving to Puerto Plata in 2017. During this upcoming season, Carnival plans to dock at least 83 cruise ships at Amber Cove, up from just 20 ships in 2015.www.carnival.com 

Cruise Passenger Arrivals Increase by More Than 67 Percent

Dominican Republic has received more than 580,000 cruise passengers this year, which represents a 67.5 percent increase from the same time period last year, according to reports from Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism.

Cap Cana Marina to Become New Cruise Port

The Cap Cana Marina will start accepting cruises Dec. 8 for its first cruise season, with majority of incoming cruises classifying as luxury vessels. This new port is part of Dominican Republic’s goal to achieve 10 million tourists by 2022.

AIRPORTS/FLIGHTS

Punta Cana International Airport Remains Most Popular in Caribbean 

According to the Central Bank, Punta Cana International Airport is still the leading airport in the Caribbean with more than 2.4 million arrivals each year. These arrival numbers have increased 7.1 percent overall from last year. www.bancentral.gov.do

Dominican Republic Airports Service 10 Million Passengers This Year

According to the Civil Aviation Board, more than 10 million passengers have traveled through Dominican Republic airports from January through September this year. More than 80 percent of travelers arrived at either Punta Cana International Airport or Las Américas International Airport in Santo Domingo.

ACTIVITIES

Kah-Kow Experience to launch in Santo Domingo

Grupo Rizek will be launching a new Kah Kow Experience in Santo Domingo this December for visitors to experience Dominican cacao at its finest. Upon completion, it will boast a small theatre that will show a 35-minute film about cacao production. www.kahkow.com

Baseball Season Here at Last From October 20 to December 21, six baseball teams will face off in one of the most anticipated sporting events in the Dominican Republic. Games will be held in Santo Domingo, Santiago, San Pedro de Marcorís, San Francisco de Macoris and La Romana. http://www.lidom.com

About Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic’s first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Rich in history, the DR has developed into a diverse destination offering both Dominican and European flavours to more than 750,000 Canadian visitors each year. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, the DR boasts 26 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature, and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people. The DR features some of the world’s best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism’s official web site at: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or call 1-888-494-5050 for more information.